The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to release the long-awaited merit list for several recruitment positions within 30 days, providing relief to candidates who had been waiting months for the completion of the hiring process.

The directive follows complaints lodged by six applicants, including Amir Ullah and others, who raised concerns over the prolonged delay in announcing recruitment results despite the completion of the testing and evaluation stages.

According to the case findings, the candidates had applied for a range of technical and administrative positions advertised by the CDA on February 23, 2025. The recruitment drive attracted significant interest from job seekers looking to secure positions within one of Pakistan’s key public sector organizations.

As part of the recruitment process, the CDA engaged the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) to conduct screening and assessment tests. Candidates completed the required examinations and fulfilled all necessary procedural requirements. However, despite the completion of these stages, the final merit list remained unpublished for an extended period.

The complainants argued that the delay created uncertainty and anxiety among applicants who had invested considerable time and effort in the recruitment process. They maintained that the absence of any clear explanation regarding the status of the results raised concerns about transparency and administrative efficiency.

After reviewing the matter, the Federal Ombudsman concluded that the delay was unjustified and amounted to maladministration. The authority emphasized that public institutions have a responsibility to conduct recruitment exercises in a transparent, timely, and accountable manner.

In its ruling, the Ombudsman instructed the CDA to finalize and publish the merit list within 30 days. The decision is expected to provide clarity to candidates and help ensure that vacant positions are filled without further unnecessary delays.

The ruling also highlights the importance of merit-based recruitment in public sector organizations. Timely completion of hiring processes not only strengthens public confidence but also enables government institutions to address workforce requirements efficiently.

The latest development is being viewed as a positive step toward improving transparency and accountability in public sector recruitment. Candidates who participated in the recruitment process will now be looking to the CDA for the prompt publication of the merit list in compliance with the Ombudsman’s directive.

With the 30-day deadline now in place, the focus remains on whether the CDA will expedite the process and bring the long-pending recruitment exercise to a conclusion.